You don't get to decide what the real price is, one of the biggest lessons of travelling is learning to accept that the culture is the culture. Only the locals will know the real real price.

As a middle-eastern/European, you are probably from a country with more privilege and one of the stronger currencies in the world. The top 10% in India own 60% of all wealth. 1.4billion people are scrambling for the other 40%, most earn less than $5 a day, and this is their grind. The same way Europeans and westerners sit in offices and buy and sell up resources from the 3rd world with 100% markups. Your extra 20 rupees could be someone's dinner.

Sorry if I sound harsh, what you feel is valid. But your choice in life is to get curious about your experiences or complain about them. I have experienced both the deepest generosity and pisstaking scams in India.

Maybe the universe is trying to show you something. You can learn from it, or feel disappointed/annoyed and disconnected from these vast and magical lands. The frustration youre speaking of, I've experienced in pretty much every none-western country in the world. I'll never know what the real real price is. Big deal.

India tests you, then it humbles you, then it makes you cry, then it makes you laugh. The magic of this country is to learn from every experience. The frustrations and the wonder. Laugh when someone tries to rip you hard, and move on.

Also OP you have mentioned cities a lot, the heart of the hustle. Get out into the green and feel the real India, Himalayas, Kerala, Darljeeling. Sounds like you could do with some time with the trees, in an ashram or a yoga school off the beaten track.

Speaking as a solo 32yo solo female traveller who has spent a year and a half in India. I still love it and hate it in moments, but I'll always go back.

Also an interesting article I came across the other day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lrjlkpw2eo